Arlo had big ideas about turning four....
He wanted all his friends to have capes to wear at the party and he wanted a "snowball" cake, "because it is winter time, Mama".
So, I indulged his requests and made 7 or 8 capes from scrap fabric (they were a big hit) and I made this delicious snowball cake, fashioned after the Hostess Snowball Snack Cake.
It was actually very easy to make, thanks to "Cook's Country" magazine and it was so yummy! Though I wasn't sure we'd have enough with all of Arlo's buddies at the party, so we bought some cupcakes, as well and I made little "4" pennants to make them a bit more festive.
The cake was a big hit....for everyone.
We blew up balloons with helium and they were also a big hit.
Arlo was given some amazing gifts including this "Arlo" doll hand made by Matt's mom. He was thrilled, as you can see, and "Arlo doll" is present every night in amongst Arlo's menagerie of bedtime "buddies", as Arlo calls them.
The kids received these silly glasses as a party favor...but as you can tell, the adults (and dogs) had just as much fun with them!
Lots of dress up and running around and even a special movie with popcorn...all in all a great 4th birthday!
At age 4, Arlo:
He wanted all his friends to have capes to wear at the party and he wanted a "snowball" cake, "because it is winter time, Mama".
So, I indulged his requests and made 7 or 8 capes from scrap fabric (they were a big hit) and I made this delicious snowball cake, fashioned after the Hostess Snowball Snack Cake.
It was actually very easy to make, thanks to "Cook's Country" magazine and it was so yummy! Though I wasn't sure we'd have enough with all of Arlo's buddies at the party, so we bought some cupcakes, as well and I made little "4" pennants to make them a bit more festive.
The cake was a big hit....for everyone.
We blew up balloons with helium and they were also a big hit.
Arlo was given some amazing gifts including this "Arlo" doll hand made by Matt's mom. He was thrilled, as you can see, and "Arlo doll" is present every night in amongst Arlo's menagerie of bedtime "buddies", as Arlo calls them.
The kids received these silly glasses as a party favor...but as you can tell, the adults (and dogs) had just as much fun with them!
Lots of dress up and running around and even a special movie with popcorn...all in all a great 4th birthday!
At age 4, Arlo:
:: still requests cuddle time every night and I oblige. It is a special time where he and I talk about whatever he wants to talk about. Last night he "spelled" words and I told him what the "words" were. it was sweet.
:: weighs about 45 pounds and is about a head taller than Otis and a head smaller than Sam. Specific, I know, but we never measure the kids...we did just start a wall with their head heights labeled.
:: asks some pretty deep questions, such as, "Where did people come from?" and "If we are on this planet, could there be other people on other planets?" Intense.
:: is becoming quite helpful with Otis and in general around the house...and I mean helpful in a real way
:: still sleeps with his menagerie of "buddies" including, but not limited to, baby, ducky, blankie (a scarf Matt bought me on our honeymoon in Mexico), "Arlo doll", Twilight (his turtle that makes stars on the ceiling), Gooey doll (a home made "ugly" doll), purple dinosaur....
:: loves to play with Sam and looks forward to play time every day.
:: LOVES singing and knows all the words to all the songs on the Pete Seeger live children's album we play in the van everyday. It is a great album.
:: still uses the "w" sound in place of the "L" sound and the "R" sound. It is vewy, vewy, adowable.
:: will show up in our bed 4-6 nights a week and loves to cuddle with me on my side of the bed...never in the middle.
:: is becoming very compassionate and is learning to express his emotions verbally, very well.
:: does not like the cold and has expressed to me a number of times that winter is his least favorite season.
:: LOVES being at home all the time wearing his pajamas playing with his brothers...he'll choose this above all other activities.
:: weighs about 45 pounds and is about a head taller than Otis and a head smaller than Sam. Specific, I know, but we never measure the kids...we did just start a wall with their head heights labeled.
:: asks some pretty deep questions, such as, "Where did people come from?" and "If we are on this planet, could there be other people on other planets?" Intense.
:: is becoming quite helpful with Otis and in general around the house...and I mean helpful in a real way
:: still sleeps with his menagerie of "buddies" including, but not limited to, baby, ducky, blankie (a scarf Matt bought me on our honeymoon in Mexico), "Arlo doll", Twilight (his turtle that makes stars on the ceiling), Gooey doll (a home made "ugly" doll), purple dinosaur....
:: loves to play with Sam and looks forward to play time every day.
:: LOVES singing and knows all the words to all the songs on the Pete Seeger live children's album we play in the van everyday. It is a great album.
:: still uses the "w" sound in place of the "L" sound and the "R" sound. It is vewy, vewy, adowable.
:: will show up in our bed 4-6 nights a week and loves to cuddle with me on my side of the bed...never in the middle.
:: is becoming very compassionate and is learning to express his emotions verbally, very well.
:: does not like the cold and has expressed to me a number of times that winter is his least favorite season.
:: LOVES being at home all the time wearing his pajamas playing with his brothers...he'll choose this above all other activities.
